Originally posted: 12/30/2020
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life, (6:23).
If we would only follow His commandments and His Teachings, we would walk in His Light. But as we all know, we stumble off the path into darkness far too easily. So, what then are we to do?
We must trust the Lord, relying on Him as our faithful and loving Father, to administer the needed reproofs for our discipline.
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights, (Proverbs 3:11-12).
Too often, we view His discipline merely as punishment. But His reproofs for discipline are always meant to shed the Light of His Teaching and to train us in self-control, that we would be steadfast in our walk of faith.
This phrase, “reproofs for discipline,” in Proverbs 6:23, is also translated as “correction and instruction,” and “corrective discipline.” In this chapter of Proverbs, we are presented with a way of life through seven things the Lord finds detestable. And if we will take heed to these seven things that are abhorrent to Him, He will discipline, correct, and instruct us through the Light of His Teaching.
There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers, (6:16-19).
Seven things are an abomination to the Lord: pride; lying; the taking of innocent life; hearts bent on wicked plans; feet quick to find evil; a false witness; and one who stirs up trouble among the brethren. These are each so detestable to Holy God because they are each so completely contrary to the Light of His Teaching as revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life,” (John 8:12).
Consider the Light of His Teaching
- The Light of His Teaching, so contrary to pride, as revealed in Him, the Humble Servant:
- “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many,” (Mark 10:45).
- The Light of His Teaching, so contrary to lying, as revealed in Him, the Truth:
- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me,” (John 14:6).
- The Light of His Teaching, so contrary to the taking of innocent life, as revealed in Him, the Giver of Life:
- “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes,” (John 5:21).
- The Light of His Teaching, so contrary to hearts bent on wicked plans, as revealed in Him, Committed to Follow the Father’s Will:
- “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me,” (John 6:38).
- The Light of His Teaching, so contrary to feet quick to find evil, as revealed in Him, Purposely Looking to Extend Goodness:
- “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you,” (Luke 6:27-31).
- The Light of His Teaching, so contrary to a false witness, as revealed in Him, the Truthful Witness:
- Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice,” (John 18:37).
- The Light of His Teaching, so contrary to one who stirs up trouble among the brethren, as revealed in Him, Our Peace:
- For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, (Ephesians 2:14).
How do we respond to the Light of His Teaching?
As we come to understand what the Lord hates, we will grow in our understanding of what is truly pleasing to Him: that we would learn to walk in Christ Jesus as we grow in the Light of His Teaching.
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude, (Colossians 2:6-7).
Let us daily come to the Light of His Teaching that we may see His Light.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light, (Psalm 36:9).
As we see the Light of His Teaching, let us ask Him to grow us in His grace and knowledge.
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen, (2 Peter 3:18).
Oh, that He would so grow us that we would actually begin to love like our Savior as we see Him revealed in the Light of His Teaching.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma, (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Let us commit to practice what He reveals in the Light of His Teaching, that we would accept His reproofs for discipline as the way of life, and daily follow Him in every way that pleases God.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life, (6:23).
“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God,” (John 3:21).
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life,” (John 8:12).